2010 Chase Contenders

Over the past four years there have been four different, NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB champions. We have had a summer and the soon-to-be Winter Olympics. Two Presidents have taken the oval office, and there has been a leap year.

Yet there has only been one NASCAR Champion—Jimmie Johnson.
Jimmie has ruled the world of NASCAR over the last four years with 27 point victories, 94 top ten finishes, and an average finish of 10.53.

If Jimmie is such a guarantee to win the championship every year, why do I pick someone new to win the championship every year?

With Daytona less than two hours away, here is my list for the top 13 drivers in 2010.

13. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I can already feel the hate from all you Junior fans.

Lets set the record straight, I don't hate on Junior. He is a stand up guy and he is great for NASCAR, but lets be realistic. Junior has only one points victory in his two season with Hendrick. He has posted career worsts in top tens, top fives and point standings.

When he was with DEI, he was the man—with Hendrick he is number four.

His speedweeks started off great but have slowly declined and has shown flashes of the last two years.

In my mind he is still considered fourth at Hendricks behind Martin, Gordon, and Johnson.

I don't think that he will make the chase and he will have to get some luck to finish 13th. I only put him here so I would not have to answer the question, 'Why is Junior not on the list'.

5. Denny Hamlin

Denny keeps getting better ever year. He is the first name that people say when asked the question 'who will dethrone Jimmie?'

I think he has a great shot at doing it, but his knee. After a pickup game of basketball he tore his ACL.

It is one of the most painful injuries to have. I am in awe of how he has dealt with it so far. It will cause him pain and to me might set him back in a few races were he can't leave the throttle wide open.

He will still have a great year but it will be more difficult than ever.